Council leaders have backed plans to purchase new properties to improve accommodation for young people in care, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Durham County Council agreed to invest £3.9million for 25 properties in the region at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
A report to the authority said the use of supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds has increased significantly since before the coronavirus pandemic.
The council currently lease 26 properties from private landlords, which are used on an emergency basis as temporary places of safety for children and young people who have both care and intensive support needs.
However, the current costs range from £77 to £214 per night to rent properties, equating to an estimated annual property cost of more than £1 million.
Cathy Hunt, our cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We want every child in our care to have a safe, stable and welcoming place to live for as long as they need it.
“Our teams work tirelessly with providers across the county to ensure children are placed in appropriate, registered settings. However, demand continues to grow, and there is currently not enough registered accommodation available locally to meet all needs.”
As part of the new plans, an in-house supported accommodation team will be formed. The team will be registered with Ofsted and will support young people to live independently in the properties.
It is hoped that the new properties could be used by next summer.
The number of children in care in County Durham has risen from 92 per 10,000 in 2020 to 122 per 10,000 in 2024, with a higher rate of children entering care. It means £88 million was being spent on children in care placements in 2024, up from £30 million in 2020.
Joe Quinn, cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, praised the impact the scheme will have on local services.
He said: “The approach presented is robust, well-evidenced, and clearly aligned with our statutory responsibility to children and young people with the greatest needs.
“It represents a strategic and proactive response to the ongoing pressures within the system.
“The proposal offers clear benefits in terms of stability, quality and value for money. By reducing reliance on high-cost and unregulated external provision, it strengthens our ability to deliver safe, appropriate and locally based accommodation, while making more effective use of public resources.
“This is a prudent and sustainable investment with long-term benefits for both outcomes and cost avoidance. Importantly, this proposal supports our wider council ambitions of caring for young people and improving life chances for vulnerable young residents. It provides a strong platform for more consistent support, better outcomes, and greater assurances for the future.”
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
